Multiple filter having a loose granule section with perforated inner wrapper

ABSTRACT

A multiple filter for cigarettes is manufactured by initially forming a rod which is divisible into mouthpieces having at least three sections with the central section containing particulate material. An inner wrapper for the sections is either preperforated or punctured at the central section to facilitate the introduction of the granular material. Thereafter, either an outer wrap or a tape of reduced width is applied over the inner wrap to close off and seal completely the central section. In order to provide more uniform fill of the particulate material, an intermittent rod manufacturing process is employed.

ite tates atent [191 1 3,8@7,286

Sexstone Apr. 30, 1974 [5 MULTIPLE FILTER HAVING A LOOSE 3,370,592 2/1968 Schultz et a1. 93/1 (3 GRANULE SECTION WITH PERFORATED INNER WRAPPER [75] Inventor: John H. Sexstone, Middletown, Ky.

[73] Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, Louisville, Ky.

22 Filed: 011.4,1972

21 Appl. No.: 295,003

[52] US. Cl. 93/1 C, 93/77 FT [51] Int. Cl. A24c 5/50 [58] Field of Search 93/77 FT, 1 C

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,482,488 12/1969 Sexstone 93/1 C 3,259,029 7/1966 Hall et a]. 93/1 C 3,312,151 4/1967 Molins 93/1 C 3,610,112 10/1971 Labbe 93/1 C Primary Examiner-Roy Lake Assistant Examiner--James F. Coan Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Vance A. Smith 5 7] ABSTRACT A multiple filter for cigarettes is manufactured by initially forming a rod which is divisible into mouthpieces having at least three sections with the central section containing particulate material. An inner wrapper for the sections is either preperforated or punctured at the central section to facilitate the introduction of the granular material. Thereafter, either an outer wrap or a tape of reduced width is applied over the inner wrap to close off and seal completely the central section. In order to provide more uniform fill of the particulate material, an intermittent rod manufacturing process is employed.

13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures MULTIPLE FILTER HAVING A LOOSE GRANULE SECTION WITH'PERFORATED INNER WRAPPER REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS This application relates to the general subject matter disclosed in commonly assigned US. Pat. Nos. 3,482,488, granted Dec. 9, 1969, and 3,524,454, granted Aug. 18, 1970.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the-above referenced patents, a multiple filter rod construction .is disclosed in which components of the same or different character are .interdigitated between a second group of spaced components on a traveling inner wrapper. This wrapper is of a width slightly less than the circumference of the components and is formed around a majorportion of the circumferentially extending periphery of these components. Accordingly, a top opening is defined between .the :marginal side edges of "the inner wrapper; and this-opening is in communication with'the space of selected size between components. The partially wrapped components pass through a particulate material dispensing station at which the spaces between components are .filled with this material through the top opening. In order to increase the rate of fillas well as'to assure optimum den sity of the particulate .material,.suction may be applied through the first wrapper below the discharge opening of the dispenser. The partially wrapped components and interposed'particulate sections pass through arsecnd wrapping-station at whicha second wrapper of increased width is folded around the rod to cover the top opening defined by the inner wrapper. The marginal side edges of the outer wrapper-are overlapped and suitably sealed together. The'continuous rod is then subdivided into the desired length of rods which are then introduced into conventional filter tip attaching machinery forming cigarettes with the mouthpiece having two spaced components of certain character and interposed particulate section.

While multiple filters manufactured in accordance with the teachings of the foregoing patents have proved to be eminently'satisfactory andsuccessful, it has been found that on occasion the particulate material introduced into'the space between the components would, from time to time, enter the relatively shallow cavity between the marginal side edges of the inner wrapper and the components and eventually be disposed therein even after the application of the outer wrapper. Of course, this not only detracted from the quality of the filter, but on certain occasions did affect the filtering efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes .to eliminate the aforenoted problems by assuring the maintenance of the particulate material within the central section between components.

A further object is to improve the operating efficiency of a multiple filter having a particulate section and at the .same time assuring optimum quality control of the finished product.

Another object is to provide an intermittent manufacturing operation for a multiple filter having a particulate section which provides for more precise fill of the central section while providing a cleaner operation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description which is to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top view of the dual wrapping operation whereby spaced filter components are secured within the inner wrapper to provide space of predetermined size between the components to which access is possible by means of the perforated openings through which the selected particulate material may be introduced and which'are sealed by the outer wrapper;

holes spaced intermediate the marginal side edges,

which holes may be either preformed or punched or perforated on the rod forming machine;

' FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the inner wrap being punctured while on the rod forming machine and prior to the introduction of the particulate filtering material; and

FIG. v6 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the formation of a multiple filter rod of this invention in which the rod formation'is intermittent to facilitate the introduction of the particulate material in the central section. Y

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1, a dual wrap multiple filter rod is formed by initially providing a first inner wrapper 10 of a width at least equal to the circumference of the selected components 12a and 12b which may be of the same or different material. In the event the width of the inner wrapper 10 is greater than the circumference of the components 12a and 12b, the marginal side edges thereof will beoverlapped and suitably secured to one another. The material selected for the wrap 10 may be of a thermoplastic nature or selected from a wide variety of other materials, including plastics, paper or the like, which will provide an essentially self-supporting rod prior to introducing the particular material into the spaces between the components 12a and 12b. This will assure the uniform cross-section of the rod prior and subsequent to the filling operation. Where desired or necessary the spaced components 12a and 12b may be fused or otherwise suitably secured or bonded to the inner wrapper 10 to maintain the desired space relationship. In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. l, the marginal side edges of the inner wrapper 10 are notched or 0therwise suitably perforated at spaced intervals to provide openings through which the selected particulate material may be introduced into the central section 14. Thus, in this embodiment opposed notches or perforations 16a and 16b are performed and cooperate in-de- .fining the opening 18 which may be of any suitable length which is equal to or less than the space between the components 12a and 12b.

'in overlapped relationship whereby the wrapper completely embraces the exterior surfaces of the first wrapper while closing or sealing the openings 18. The overlapped marginal side edges of the second wrapper 22 may be secured through the use of a seam paster of a type well known in the art and in the event a thermoplastic outer wrapper isutilized, its overlapped edges may be suitably fused or otherwise bonded together.

The completely wrapped rod is then passed through a conventional cut-off device which operates to cut the dual wrapped filter rod into predetermined lengths. These lengths are subsequently placed in conventional filter tip attachment machinery adapted to secure com-- posite mouthpieces on cigarettes. These composite mouthpieces will include component 12a of material A, the particulate section of material 20 and component 12b of material B where material B may be the same as or different from material A and may be of the same or of unequal length. The particulate section may be of varying lengths depending upon material selected. The particulate material may be granular, powdered, flaked, flocculent or the like or any combination thereof and may include, but not necessarily limited to charcoal, alumina, silica gel, appropriate resins that may be modified or supplied with selected additives or other suitable filtering or conditioning materials.

In FIG. 2, an embodiment of the invention is disclosed in which the holes 18 of the inner wrapper 10 are closed or sealed by a tape 22a of relatively reduced width. Of course, a tape 22a is secured to the surfaces of the inner wrapper 10 in any suitable fashion.

In FIG.. 3, an inner wrapper 10a is shown with notches 16c appearing along only one of the marginal side edges. As will be appreciated, the size and configuration of the notches may be varied within limits to facilitate and expedite the introduction of the selected particulate material.

The embodiment of inner wrapper 10b of FIG. 4 utilizes perforations 16d at the prescribed intervals intermediate the marginal side edges. These perforations 16d may be either preformed or punctured at the rod forming machine at any point prior to the introduction of the particulate material.

Towards this end, reference is made to FIG. 5 in which a-perforator 24 operates in synchronization with the movement of the inner wrapper 101). As shown, the perforator 24 is in the form of a rotatively driven wheel having peripheral laterally extending projections which optimum fill is obtained particularly when handling relatively low density particulate material. In order to further improve the fill of certain particulate material, suction may be applied as indicated as was the case in connection with the disclosure of the above referenced patents. Of course, both the application of suction and the dispensing from the metering jets 26 may be timed and synchronized with the indexing of the partially formed rod. When the interposed spaces 14 have been filled with the selected particulate material, the metering jets 26 will be deactivated and the suction, if employed, will be removed while the partially formed rod is shifted to expose the next series of spaces 14 to the particulate material filling station.

Thus, the aforenoted objects and advantages are most effectively attained in that multiple filter rods are manufactured with a loose particulate filter section having optimum fill and density while maintaining relatively clean manufacturing conditions in confining the particulate material to the space 14 between filter components 12a and 12b. Although several somewhat preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is 'in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method of making cigarette mouthpiece rods divisible into individual mouthpieces which have a particulate component aligned coaxially with the other components, the method comprising the steps of:

a. feeding the other components in a coaxial alignment with a space therebetween;

b. completely enclosing the spaced other components in a continuous first wrapper having a width at least equal to the circumference of the other components and having preformed spaced openings therein positioned between the ends of the other components so that particulate material may pass through the openings to fill the spaces between the other components;

c. providinga source of the particulate material;

d. passing the enclosed spaced other components beneath the 'source of particulate material so as to align the openings in the continuous wrapper with the source;

e. introducing the particulate material into the space between the spaced other components through the openings defined by the continuous wrapper; and

f. completing the wrapping of the composite rod by sealing the openings, thereby forming a continuous composite rod.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the spaced other components are of different lengths.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the spaced other components are of double length and the completely wrapped continuous rod is subdivided by cutting it at intervals to thereby produce rods each of which contains at least one particulate section.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein the continuous rod is subdivided by cutting each of the double length components approximately on center to thereby provide individual mouthpieces having a particulate section between sections of different character.

5. The invention in accordance with claiin 1 wherein the components are secured to the initial wrapper prior to the introduction of the particulate material.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the initial wrapper is air permeable and suction is drawn therethrough as the particulate material is introduced into the spaces between components to thereby increase the rate at which the spaces are filled with particulate material.

7. The invention in accordance with claiml wherein the openings are sealed by applying a tape of sufficient width to cover said openings, securing the tape to the outer surfaces of said first wrapper.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein a second wrapper is applied completely about the outer surfaces of the inner wrapper to seal said openings, said second wrapper having overlapped marginal side edges, securing said overlapped side edges to one another.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first wrapper is notched at predetermined intervals along at least one of its marginal side edges to define said openings when said first wrap is applied about said components.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein the first wrapper is notched along both of the marginal side edges of the first wrapper to define said spaced openings.

11. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first wrapper is punctured at spaced intervals between its marginal side edges to define said openings.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 11 wherein the punctured openings are formed in said first wrapper after said first wrapper is applied to said components and before the particulate material is introduced into the space between the components.

13. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the continuous first Wrapper and the enclosed spaced components are fed to the source of particulate material intermittently and wherein the particulate material then is introduced through the openings into the space between components by metering jets, the first wrapper being thereafter moved away from said source. 

1. A method of making cigarette mouthpiece rods divisible into individual mouthpieces which have a particulate component aligned coaxially with the other components, the method comprising the steps of: a. feeding the other components in a coaxial alignment with a space therebetween; b. completely enclosing the spaced other components in a continuous first wrapper having a width at least equal to the circumference of the other components and having preformed spaced openings therein positioned between the ends of the other components so that particulate material may pass through the openings to fill the spaces between the other components; c. providing a source of the particulate material; d. passing the enclosed spaced other components beneath the source of particulate material so as to align the openings in the continuous wrapper with the source; e. introducing the particulate material into the space between the spaced other components through the openings defined by the continuous wrapper; and f. completing the wrapping of the composite rod by sealing the openings, thereby forming a continuous composite rod.
 2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the spaced other components are of different lengths.
 3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the spaced other components are of double length and the completely wrapped continuous rod is subdivided by cutting it at intervals to thereby produce rods each of which contains at least one particulate section.
 4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein the continuous rod is subdivided by cutting each of the double length components approximately on center to thereby provide individual mouthpieces having a particulate section between sections of different character.
 5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the components are secured to the initial wrapper prior to the introduction of the particulate material.
 6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the initial wrapper is air permeable and suction is drawn therethrough as the particulate material is introduced into the spaces between components to thereby increase the rate at which the spaces are filled with particulate material.
 7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the openings are sealed by applying a tape of sufficient width to cover said openings, securing the tape to the outer surfaces of said first wrapper.
 8. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein a second wrapper is applied completely about the outer surfaces of the inner wrapper to seal said openings, said second wrapper having overlapped marginal side edges, securing said overlapped side edges to one another.
 9. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first wrapper is notched at predetermined intervals along at least one of its marginal side edges to define said openings when said first wrap is applied about said components.
 10. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein the first wrapper is notched along both of the marginal side edges of the first wrapper to define said spaced openings.
 11. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first wrapper is punctured at spaced intervals between its marginal side edges to define said openings.
 12. The invention in accordance with claim 11 wherein the punctured openings are formed in said first wrapper after said first wrapper is applied to said components and before the particulate material is introduced into the space between the components.
 13. The invention in accordancE with claim 1 wherein the continuous first wrapper and the enclosed spaced components are fed to the source of particulate material intermittently and wherein the particulate material then is introduced through the openings into the space between components by metering jets, the first wrapper being thereafter moved away from said source. 